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Spurs slam Bale claims

Tottenham have rejected suggestions Gareth Bale was made unavailable for the Team GB football team.

Last Updated: 26/07/12 7:21pm

Gareth Bale: Wales winger at the centre of injury row between Tottenham and BOA

Tottenham have rejected suggestions Gareth Bale was made unavailable for the Team GB Olympic football team.

The Wales winger was scheduled to be named in Stuart Pearce's squad for London 2012 but sustained a back injury in the build-up to the Games, which saw him overlooked for selection.

Eyebrows were raised when Bale was selected for Spurs' pre-season tour of America - which coincides with the start of the Games - where he has featured.

But the Premier League club are refusing to accept claims the winger's injury was exaggerated to rule him out of Olympic contention.

Transparency

A statement released by Spurs on the club's official website read: "The Club considers the recent comment and accusations regarding Gareth Bale's fitness relating to his non selection for Team GB's men's football team to be wholly unacceptable and unjustified.

"For the avoidance of any doubt and on a point of absolute clarity and transparency - Gareth sustained an injury as he built up his fitness ahead of joining up with Stuart Pearce's side. MRI scan reports were sent to the FA medical team on 29 June (2012).

"He was subsequently not selected on the basis of this injury and the inability to predict recovery time.

"This decision was not taken lightly and made only after consultation with Team GB's medical team, who were in agreement after seeing the medical reports."

Dismayed

The statement added: "At no time was Gareth made unavailable for selection. Indeed, Gareth made clear publicly on numerous occasions his desire to compete for Team GB and was extremely disappointed on hearing the news he would not be fit to participate.

"He is now focused on and determined to get fit for the season ahead and to this end we have brought out an additional member of our medical team on tour, dedicated to Gareth's recovery.

"We are dismayed that some have sought to make wrongful assumptions about Gareth's particular situation and that such positive news surrounding his recovery is being highlighted in this manner.

"We trust that this statement now clarifies this matter once and for all."

Ban

Meanwhile, British Olympic Association chairman Lord Moynihan has offered his response to suggestions that Bale's Olympic absence could see him stung with a domestic ban.

"I don't agree with Sepp Blatter's comments about looking at banning him during the Games," he said.

"I think Sepp Blatter needs to get a bit closer to Team GB and maybe join me on the Jubilee Line early in the morning. I didn't notice him there this morning.

"It would've been helpful, because I could've explained the situation to him very clearly."

He added: "I understand the response from some football fans who were hoping to see him play as part of Team GB.

"My view is different. I welcome the fact that, actually, he has returned from injury earlier than anticipated."